Kenny Marchant

Mr. MARCHANT

Mr. MARCHANT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life of an outstanding citizen and public servant, my former congressman, Bruce Reynolds Alger. He recently passed away in Palm Bay, Florida at the age of 96. The Honorable Bruce Alger served the 5th District of Texas in the House of Representatives from 1955 to 1965. Congressman Alger served in a very significant time in Texas history with President Lyndon B. Johnson and Speaker Samuel T. Rayburn, both of the Lone Star State, leading the country during his tenure. He was a pioneer of his time by being the only Republican Congressman in the Texas delegation for eight years. It wasn't until his final term in Congress that he could hold a Republican meeting of Texas Representatives with more than just himself. Congressman Ed Foreman from Odessa, Texas was elected in 1963 to double the size of the Texas GOP delegation. Congressman Alger was one of the earliest Republican members of the Texas Delegation in the mid-20th Century and the first Republican Representative from Dallas County. He fought and spoke for limited government, balanced budget, flat income tax, and many other ideals that became the basis for conservative principles for years to come. He was the eleventh Texan to be appointed to the Ways and Means committee, which I sit upon today. Prior to being elected to Congress, he was also a distinguished veteran. Like many of the greatest generation, he answered the call to service. He served during World War II in the United States Army from 1941-1945. As a pilot, he received the Distinguished Flying Cross and attained the rank of Captain. He devoted much of his life to public service and did what he could to better our country. Congressman Alger's endless energy benefited so many who he served. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to celebrate the life of the Honorable Bruce Reynolds Alger. I ask all of my distinguished colleagues to join me in celebrating our former House colleague's remarkable life and service in Congress and to our country.

Mr. MARCHANT

Mr. MARCHANT. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to recognize the Honorable John Terrell, who is retiring from the Southlake City Council after six years of service as Mayor and five years as Councilmember of Place 3. Mayor Terrell was elected Mayor of Southlake in 2009 after serving two terms as a councilmember. He has been an instrumental leader in the successful growth of Southlake. Throughout his tenure, the City of Southlake has developed into a premiere location where families want to live, businesses want to operate, and people want to visit. Mayor Terrell has served on a number of Southlake committees that address transportation and taxes. Among these groups are the Audit Committee (2008-present), Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone No. 1 (2004- present), and Southlake 2030 Committee (2009-present). Additionally, he has served on community boards addressing development and energy, such as the Super Bowl Planning Committee (2009-2011), Oil and Gas Drilling Task Force (2007-2008), Joint Utilization Committee (2004-2009), Southlake 2025 Committee (2002-2004), Planning and Zoning Commission- Chairman (2000-2004), and Zoning Board of Adjustment (1999-2000). Furthermore, Mayor Terrell has been an active member of regional organizations committed to enhancing the quality of life for North Texans. These groups include the International Council of Shopping Centers, Urban Land Institute, Metroport Transit Authority, Northeast Leadership Forum, Southlake Executive Forum, Southlake Sister Cities, Texas Regional Transportation Commission, and Vision North Texas. As a leader, Mayor Terrell's impact on the City of Southlake and North Texas area has been acknowledged throughout his years of service. The accolades he has achieved include the 2013 Southlake Chamber of Commerce's Citizen of the Year, 2008 Southlake Chamber of Commerce's Leadership Southlake Alumni of the Year, 2008 Industrial Asset Management Council's Corporate Real Estate Executive of the Year, and City of Southlake Department of Public Safety's Life Saving Award. Additionally, he has been recognized by the Dallas Business Journal for the 2005 Best New Industrial Development, 2002 Best New Development Retail/Hospitality, and 2000 Best Development Deal. He has also been distinguished as the 2011 Best of the Best Government Official selected through the readers of the Southlake Journal, Grapevine Courier, and Colleyville Courier. Outside of his duties as a public servant, Mayor Terrell works for Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport as the Vice President of Commercial Development. He has been a Southlake resident for more than 17 years where he has lived with his wife, Joanne, and their two children. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the 24th Congressional District of Texas, I ask all my distinguished colleagues to join me in thanking the Honorable John Terrell for his years of service on the Southlake City Council.

Mr. MARCHANT

Mr. MARCHANT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Rishul Rai and Pavitra Kumar of the Parish Episcopal School in Dallas, Texas, in my district, for their recent selection as the Region 5 winner of the Grade 4-6 age group of the 2015 Toshiba/National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) ExploraVision Award. With 5,000 teams entered within 6 regions, this is an incredibly impressive accomplishment. The Toshiba/NTSA ExploraVision competition goes beyond a typical student science competition. Teachers guide groups of 2-4 students through a simulation of real research and development as they pick a current technology and envision how it will look in 20 years, as well as the breakthroughs necessary to reach that point. Rishul and Pavitra's entry, Dehydra DH, uses wearable technology to determine the dehydration level of athletes by monitoring the level of salt in a player's sweat. The device would then alert the player, coaching staff, or medical personnel if severe levels are reached. The focus on the STEM field is growing increasingly important, and competitions like these that foster that development inherently improve our nation and its future. The Dehydra DH entry for the ExploraVision Award by the Parish Episcopal School is truly impressive, and these students are very deserving of this honor. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the 24th Congressional District of Texas, I ask all my distinguished colleagues to join me in honoring this great achievement by Rishul Rai and Pavitra Kumar of the Parish Episcopal School of Dallas.

Mr. MARCHANT

Mr. MARCHANT. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize the 25th Anniversary of the Carrollton-Farmers Branch Cyclones Special Olympics Team founded in 1990 by Julia Scott and Patrick Noonan. The non-profit organization will be celebrating this landmark achievement at a special May 15, 2015 appreciation dinner to honor the founders. The Cyclones are a chartered Special Olympics Texas team serving the needs of adults and children with intellectual disabilities. The organization provides them with year-round sports training and athletic competition in a wide variety of sports. Some of the sporting events that the Cyclones participate in include bowling, basketball, aquatics, track & field, bocce ball, and flag football. Since the founding of the Cyclones in 1990, the organization has functioned as an all-volunteer group committed to providing services to hundreds of athletes with intellectual disabilities. Additionally, the non-profit organization regularly raises all the funds needed to support the training, travel, and competition costs of their athletes through a bowling event and a gala. The Cyclones have been tremendously successful in their endeavors, with Carrollton-Farmers Branch athletes competing with success at both regional and state levels. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the 24th Congressional District of Texas, I ask all my distinguished colleagues to join me in congratulating the Carrollton-Farmers Branch Cyclones Special Olympics Team on their successes and in celebrating their 25th Anniversary.

Mr. MARCHANT

Mr. MARCHANT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the May 7th launch of American Airlines Flight #89, a Boeing 777-200ER which is scheduled to depart DFW at 11:20 a.m. for the first direct flight to Beijing. This will be a significant milestone achievement, as obtaining direct service for North Texas to Beijing has been years in the making. I congratulate DFW Airport, the scores of state and local officials involved, and business and community leaders for their years of effort to land this new direct service from the 24th Congressional District to the capital of China. American Airlines Flight #89 will add to the growing list of direct flights from DFW to Asia. North Texas passengers, as well as countless connecting passengers from across the United States and other countries, can now take advantage of American's direct service from DFW to Beijing, Hong Kong, Seoul, Shanghai, and Tokyo-Narita. Many businesses have operations in my district because of the easy and frequent access to direct flights from DFW. The Beijing service will make it easier for my constituents to travel to China and destinations throughout Asia for both business and leisure. The new flight to Beijing continues the largest expansion in new international destinations from DFW in the airport's rich history. The Beijing flight will complement other recently added international service from DFW that spans the globe from Bogota to Sydney. This global route expansion will not stop with Beijing, as in June new service from DFW will begin to both Grand Cayman and Managua. Each of these new international routes results in new jobs and economic benefits for my constituents and all of North Texas. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to recognize and congratulate Dallas/Ft. Worth International Airport and American Airlines on their starting direct service to Beijing.

Mr. MARCHANT

Mr. MARCHANT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the accomplished and honorable life of my good friend, Janine Foster Woody. Sadly, Janine has recently passed away and is mourned by many. Janine was one of the most dedicated and warm hearted people I was fortunate enough to know for many years. Her endless resume of involvement with local schools and the community are difficult to portray in words. She devoted much of her time to education and helping students and community members alike. It was an honor and a privilege to have known her. As a member of the Dallas County School Board, and chair of the Technology Committee, she worked with various Independent School District (ISD) boards and superintendents to better technological services provided to the ISDs. Janine was also elected to the Texas Association of School Boards' Legislative Advisory Committee and the North Texas Council of Governments. Her hard work and generosity reached far and wide in North Texas. Janine's involvement in Christ United Methodist Church also brought her great joy; she dedicated valuable time and energy to teaching and volunteering in the church for many years. Her other activities included chamber of commerce Education Committees, Farmers Branch Women's Club, Garland Asian American Festival Committee, Richardson Community Band, and several public service posts, along with many others. Janine was a great role model and someone you would want members of the community looking up to. Janine received a B.A. in History and English from Northwestern University as well as a Master of Library and Information Science degree from the University of North Texas. A thesis she wrote on ethnic bibliographies was published in the Wilson Library Journal. As a precinct chairwoman, and Headquarters Chairwoman of the Dallas County Republican Party, she worked hard in keeping people involved and informed on many issues. She organized and maintained events, started clubs, and generally performed above and beyond her civic duties. Janine's work ethic and ability to keep people involved in the community will be greatly missed. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to recognize and celebrate the eventful and prosperous life of Janine Foster Woody. I ask all of my distinguished colleagues to join me.

Mr. MARCHANT

Mr. MARCHANT. Mr. Speaker, if we are serious about making the Tax Code simpler and fairer, then we have to get rid of deadweight handouts. The PTC Elimination Act, which I have authored with Congressman Pompeo, is a step in that direction. The bill scales back and repeals the wind production tax credit. The PTC was created over 20 years ago to help new forms of energy get on their feet. Today, it is a largely bloated subsidy for the fully grown multimillion-dollar wind industry. The mature wind industry shouldn't be spoon fed by taxpayers any longer. The PTC needs to end. By taking this no-longer-needed tax credit off the books, the PTC Elimination Act brings fairness to our Tax Code and enhances competition. That is the kind of tax simplification we need to reinvigorate the American economy.

Mr. MARCHANT

Mr. MARCHANT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the Coppell High School girls soccer team and their recent victory in the 2015 UIL 6A State Championship game. Coppell defeated then-unbeaten Highland Park High School by a score of 3-0, giving the Cowgirls their second state championship. The Cowgirls, led by longtime coach Chris Stricker, finished the season undefeated with 28 wins, three ties, and zero losses, making them only the 9th UIL girls soccer champion to finish a season without a loss. What makes this championship victory that much more impressive is the difficult road the Cowgirls had to traverse, beating nationally ranked teams like Plano West just to get into the State tournament. Not only did Coppell finish the season as the best team in Texas, they were ranked the #1 team in the nation by Top Drawer Soccer. The achievements and accomplishments attained this season by the Cowgirls, listed below, cannot be understated and are deserving of the highest praise. Seniors: Rachel Johnson #00, Cami Studebaker #6, Grace Vowell #8, Liat Even #10, Christina Liu #12, Rachel Koury #18, Sarah King #21, Tara Vishnesky #22 Juniors: Kristen Racz #5, Maddie Dickson #11, Madeline Guderian #13, Kate Kaiser #16, Ashleigh Little #25, Emma Jett #27, Shay Johnson #31 Sophomores: Kelly Rohe #0, Maddie Weber #1, Erian Brown #7, Tori Teffeteller #26, Sarah Houchin #30 Freshmen: Italia Bradley #3, Tyler Runnels #9, Sydney Andrews #20, McKenzie McFarland #23 Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the 24th Congressional District of Texas, I ask all my distinguished colleagues to join me in honoring this great achievement by the Coppell High School girls soccer team.

Mr. MARCHANT

Mr. MARCHANT. Mr. Speaker, I am privileged to recognize the following 30 high school students from the 24th Congressional District of Texas who were selected as finalists from the 250 district entries in the Congressional Art Competition: Erin Branscum, ``Curly Hair''; Tea Brooks, ``Fawn''; Eunice Choe, ``Change is Calling''; Julie Choi, ``Monotonous Preparation''; Hannah Christensen, ``Selfie''; Taylor Coughlin, ``Fish''; Kathryn Deatherage, ``Two Lions''; Amie Deng, ``Fire''; Paloma Diaz, ``Dallas''; Avani Gallo, ``Man Horror''; Madeline Huang, ``Nighttime Adventures''; Diane Huynh, ``Humility''; Zhexin Jiang, ``Driving the Herd''; Haley Justitz, ``Sad Boy''; Jacob Kim, ``Frozen Grass''; Allison Li, ``A Spring Afternoon''; Joshua Martin, ``Aluminum''; Elissa McCracken, ``Rings of Life''; Duc Tran Nguyen, ``Vitalygo''; Jeongho Park, ``Horse and Rider''; JC Patino, ``Adam''; Sydney Peel, ``See No Poverty''; Brittney Phan, ``Diversion''; Hayley Rothballer, ``Wisdom''; Nicole Schifferdecker, ``Bluebonnets''; Kate Sheedy, ``Ireland''; Anna Sim, ``Japan in Texas''; Kaitlin Westbrook, ``Street Side''; MacGregor Williams, ``Tuskegee Airmen''; Arden Wolski, ``Texas Impressionism.'' The art competition was represented by a variety of high schools in the 24th District, and I am honored at this time to acknowledge the participating schools and the students' art teachers: Summer Neimann and Eric Horn, Carroll Senior High School; Holly Hendrix, Carrollton Christian Academy; Tamera Westervelt, Coppell High School; Sarah Roye, Colleyville Heritage High School; Bob Thomas, Creekview High School; Jeff Nisbet, Grapevine High School; Melissa James, Newman Smith High School; Brenda Robson, Prestonwood Christian Academy; Caroline Kinlaw, Ranchview High School; Steve Ko, Steve Ko Art Studio; Carolyn Allen, Trinity High School; Sharice Williams, Uplift North Hills Preparatory. Mr. Speaker, I ask all my distinguished colleagues to join me in congratulating these exceptional high school artists on becoming finalists in the 24th Congressional District of Texas Art Competition.

Mr. MARCHANT

Mr. MARCHANT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate 100 years of a prosperous business model and the strong work ethic of the Commercial Metals Company (CMC), a metals company founded in 1915 in Dallas, Texas. CMC is celebrating its 100th anniversary of business this year. This company started out in Dallas, Texas as a single operation in 1915 by a Russian immigrant named Moses Feldman. What began as a local recycling business grew into one of the top domestic steel manufacturers, fabricators and metals recyclers. CMC today is a Fortune 500 global metals company with operations in more than 20 countries with almost 200 facilities. It is an honor to have such a successful homegrown business in my district. This impressive company wasn't always so prosperous and fortunate; like many businesses, there were lean times and great difficulties it had come in contact with. The stock market crash of 1929 slowed down CMC's plan for growth as it did the rest of the nation, but by the 1930s it was ready again to thrive. The company clawed out of the economic hard times before exporting scrap iron to international markets. CMC also contributed hard work and necessary services to America's war effort during WWII. As Americans were instructed to take all scrap metal to be recycled for guns, tanks and ships, CMC used this as a means of helping and becoming part of the massive surge in manufacturing and producing on behalf of the war effort. Structural Metals Inc. (SMI) played a significant part in CMC's success by aiding its domestic presence. SMI was founded in Seguin, Texas and was a building block for CMC's domestic steel manufacturing operations. CMC became the first secondary metals company to be listed on a major stock exchange in 1960. In 1963 CMC obtained a stake in SMI and entered into steel manufacturing. In the 1970s and 1980s CMC added several other aspects of the steel industry to its already impressive resume. With such expansion and growth CMC became a Fortune 500 company and never looked back. Again, I'm thankful to have a company with such history within my district. Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure to recognize the 100th anniversary of the Commercial Metals Company. I ask all of my distinguished colleagues to join me in celebrating this milestone in the company's history.

Mr. MARCHANT

Mr. MARCHANT. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you for your leadership in helping advance the IRS Email Transparency Act. Mr. Speaker, we have an important responsibility in Congress to protect American taxpayers. That is what our constituents sent us here to do. I believe we have the opportunity to do that today. By moving forward this bill, we put safeguards in place for taxpayers, and we bring greater transparency and accountability to the IRS. H.R. 1152 is a clear, straightforward bill that will prohibit the IRS' officers and employees from using personal email accounts for official IRS business--a very commonsense thing. This bill came as a result of the Ways and Means Committee's investigation into the IRS' targeting of taxpayers based on their political beliefs. Many of those wrongly targeted were in my district in Texas. The underlying issue of H.R. 1152 is about finding ways to fix the problem and ensuring that such abuses never happen again. This is something that will impact all Americans. One of the abuses the committee discovered in our investigation was that some IRS employees used their personal, nonsecure email accounts to conduct official IRS business. In doing so, they also disclosed confidential taxpayer information. Lois Lerner, a former IRS official at the center of the agency's targeting scandal, routinely conducted official business involving taxpayer information on her personal email account. If that is not bad enough, nothing on her personal email is subject to official recordkeeping, which conveniently keeps taxpayer information outside the orbit of proper security. Such reckless behavior by the IRS breaches the trust between the American people and their government. This is wrong in principle and has failed in practice. Currently, the IRS employee manual only says that sensitive but unclassified data can't be emailed outside the IRS network, but it says nothing about an outright prohibition. In other words, it is bad practice, but it is not prohibited. It clearly didn't stop Lois Lerner from betraying the confidence of the American taxpayer. This bill makes it against the law for IRS employees to share confidential tax information on their personal email account. As I said at the outset, Congress has a responsibility to protect taxpayers. Just avoiding a repeat of past failures cannot be our ambition. So let's put commonsense safeguards in place, shine the light of transparency on the IRS, and provide greater accountability to the American people. The IRS Email Transparency Act does just that.

Mr. MARCHANT. Mr. Speaker, today is the day that we should declare that the IRS cannot take our personal tax information and put it on their private email account so that it could be subject to discovery by other people and people who will not observe and revere that information. I urge passage today of H.R. 1152.

Mr. MARCHANT

Mr. MARCHANT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Cistercian Preparatory School and The Hockaday School's recent honor as two of the best 50 private high schools for academics in the United States by Niche, as recently reported by Business Insider. I have the distinct privilege of representing these two schools, which are located within my Congressional District. Having these two schools within a small geographic area speaks volumes about the dedication to academics exhibited by the 24th District of Texas as well as the surrounding area. Cistercian Preparatory School, an all-boys school in Irving, was founded in 1962, graduating its first class in 1970. Today, the student body consists of 355 students ranging from 5th-12th grade. Cistercian has a 100% matriculation rate, and 50% of Cistercian graduates in the last 5 years were either National Merit Semi-finalists or Commendees. I've also personally taken note of Cistercian students and their strong civic engagement, which should be emulated by all schools across the country. Cistercian Preparatory School's commitment to academics is a tribute to its students, teachers, and parents, with this nationwide recognition an acknowledgement of their hard work. The Hockaday School was founded in 1913, which began with 10 female students. Located in Northwest Dallas, Hockaday now teaches over 1,000 pre-K-12 students from 10 countries. 53% of Hockaday's class of 2014 were either National Merit Finalists, Semi-finalists, or Commendees, and all 120 graduates attended college. Having recently celebrated its centennial, Hockaday continues to serve as an important part of Dallas' educational landscape. Hockaday's impressive history seems destined to be eclipsed by its incredibly bright future. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the 24th Congressional District of Texas, I ask all my distinguished colleagues to join me in honoring this great achievement by Cistercian Preparatory School and The Hockaday School. I am confident of the continual success of both schools and the young leaders they produce.

Mr. MARCHANT

Mr. MARCHANT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the long, distinguished career of one of my good friends, J. Michael Crabtree, who will be retiring this spring. Michael has been a hardworking and respected member of the education community for more than 40 years. The time and dedication he devoted brought about significant positive change to the students and community of Southern Nazarene University. Not only the students, but professors, community members, parents, and alumni greatly benefited from his work. Michael's different positions at the university over the years allowed many to experience his diverse skill set and leadership qualities. One of his recent accomplishments was his helping to complete the nine million dollar Campaign for the Science effort for the J.D. & Mary West Science Laboratory. I have had the pleasure of knowing Michael for many years. His recent positions at the university demonstrate his ability to maintain strong relationships and enhance school programs. Michael is retiring as Associate Vice President for University Advancement where his main focus was endowment development and planned giving. He maintained and enhanced relationships with donors as well as donor programs. His other roles at the school included assistant to the president, Vice President for University Advancement, and executive director of university advancement among others. Michael also spent considerable time volunteering. He spent countless hours with organizations and groups throughout the community such as the Bethany Arts Council, Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership Foundation, and Oklahoma City Civic Music Association along with many others. He received the Manager of the Year award in 1988 from Southern Nazarene University and ``Service recognition for 35 years in higher education'' in 2008. I want to thank Michael for his time and devotion to better the school that I attended as an undergraduate. His career will be remembered for years to come by everyone involved in the school and community. Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure to recognize the career of J. Michael Crabtree. I ask all of my distinguished colleagues to join me in celebrating this milestone in his remarkable life.

Mr. MARCHANT

Mr. MARCHANT. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to congratulate McCoy Elementary School in Carrollton, Texas, for earning the distinction of being named one of the nation's most successful schools through the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program In 1982, the Department of Education established the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program to recognize schools for their high or significantly improved achievement. The program's goal is to identify the methods of thriving American schools to inspire others to imitate their successful practices. In October of 2014, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan named McCoy Elementary School as a 2014 Blue Ribbon School. Schools selected for national honors reflect high standards and accountability to their students and community alike. McCoy Elementary School remains committed to enhancing the quality of learning for its students. The tireless work of the school's educators and families cannot go unnoticed, commensurate with the hard work of the students who helped earn this award. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the 24th Congressional District of Texas, I ask all my distinguished colleagues to join me in congratulating McCoy Elementary School on its accomplishment as a National Blue Ribbon School.

Mr. MARCHANT

Mr. MARCHANT. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 529, a bill I have cosponsored that strengthens tax-free 529 college savings accounts. The cost of higher ed has increased by more than 500 percent since 1985, yet the President recently proposed a tax hike on 529 savings of students and middle class families. There is a big difference between being able to afford college and being able to pay for it. The 529s help bridge that gap for millions of working Americans who make too little to cover tuition but just enough to be ineligible for financial aid. Our Nation's long-term prosperity depends on our ability to prepare the next generation for success. Let's start now by passing H.R. 529.

Mr. MARCHANT

Mr. MARCHANT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the seventieth birthday of one of my distinguished and active constituents, James Goode of Farmers Branch, Texas. James has been a strong and hardworking member of this community for many decades. He has been an active role model and his eagerness to be involved has resonated throughout the area. He is Chairman of the Board of the Farmers Branch Chamber of Commerce, President of Carrollton- Farmers Branch Independent School District Board of Trustees, and is active in his church are just a few examples of his involvement among his peers. James is someone who sets out and makes a positive difference in everyone's life around him. James also served our country in the Navy for four years and earned his B.S. in electrical engineering from the University of Texas- Arlington before settling down in Farmers Branch. His political involvement and strong engagement in the community provides a commendable example to others in the 24th district. As president of the school board, he exercises positive influence over the local education system and his reliable leadership style has helped many and will help the coming generations of children learn and excel to the best of their ability. Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure to recognize the seventieth birthday of one of my most engaged constituents, Mr. James Goode. I ask all of my distinguished colleagues to join me in celebrating this milestone in his remarkable life.

Mr. MARCHANT

Mr. MARCHANT. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to recognize retiring Senior Corporal Tony Burnett for his 25 years of public service as a Euless Police Officer. Tony Burnett began his career in public safety as a North Hills Mall security officer. In 1990, Tony's aspiration to join law enforcement was achieved when Euless Police Department hired him as Public Service Officer in the role as a jailer. Tony worked in that capacity for over three years until he was promoted to Police Officer. Throughout Tony's career, he continued to strive towards excellence which was acknowledged through the department with a promotion to Corporal in 1996 and Senior Corporal in 2008. In his leadership roles, Tony has supervised Patrol, Criminal Investigations and the Neighborhood Patrol Officers Unit. Tony Burnett's commitment to public safety encouraged him to undergo extensive training as a patrol officer, criminal investigator, and department police trainer. His training earned him the following certifications: Basic Police Certification in 1993, Intermediate Police Certification in 1997, Advanced Police Certification in 1999, and Master Police Certification in 2004. In 1995, Tony received his Police Officer Instructor License and his DARE Officer Certification. In total, Tony received over 1,700 hours of in-service training. Tony has also taught over 1,200 hours of police training in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, and he is highly recognized by the region's law enforcement community as an outstanding instructor. Aside from his police training, Tony Burnett has also earned a Bachelor's Degree from Columbia College and a Master's Degree in Criminology from the University of Texas at Arlington. Tony Burnett has led a distinguished career in the Euless Police Department where he received over 80 police commendations for professionalism and service to the community. He has also been nominated for numerous department awards which include Rookie of the Year Award in 1993, Civic Achievement Award in 1998, Distinguished Service Award in 2005, and Police Officer of the Year in 2006. Tony Burnett and his wife Melissa of 20 years have two children, Jacob and Andrew. Tony graduated from Richland High School in North Richland Hills, Texas, in 1989. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the 24th Congressional District of Texas, I ask all my distinguished colleagues to join me in thanking Tony Burnett for his years of public service as a Euless Police Officer.

Mr. MARCHANT

Mr. MARCHANT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Gary McKamie who retired as the Euless City Manager on January 31, 2015. Gary has spent the last 42 years serving the City of Euless, and I am privileged to highlight his astonishing career. Gary McKamie began his career with the City of Euless in 1973 as a public safety dispatcher. He worked in several positions in the Euless Police Department where he rose through the ranks as a Patrol Officer, Detective, Sergeant, Lieutenant, Assistant Police Chief and, ultimately, as Chief of Police for six years beginning in 1993. As the Chief of Police, Gary McKamie was instrumental in executing several community projects which included the passage of the criminal tax, establishment of the Citizen's Police Academy, conducting town hall meetings and assisting with the development of the police and courts facility. In 1999, Gary McKamie became the Deputy City Manager in Euless and served in that capacity for eight years. He was then appointed City Manager in 2007. As City Manager, Gary oversaw major commercial development projects in Euless including Glade Parks and the Riverwalk. Both projects were successfully completed to maintain the charm of the community while protecting the natural scenery that defines Euless. He led significant initiatives to improve water conservation, such as the Reclaimed Water Project, which delivers recycled water for irrigation use in northeast Euless. During his tenure as City Manager, Gary was successful in maintaining a conservative budget, allowing Euless to remain in a strong financial position. Gary McKamie and his wife, Paula, have been married for 40 years. They have three sons: Blake, Brant and Blane, and six grandchildren: Kylar, Kaylee, Kelsie, Jaxon, Addie and Annabelle. Gary McKamie's leadership in Euless will be missed, but his impact on the city will always be remembered. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to ask all of my distinguished colleagues to join me in thanking Gary McKamie for his 42 years of public service with the City of Euless.

Mr. MARCHANT

Mr. MARCHANT. Mr. Speaker, I am honored today to congratulate my friend, Mrs. Lillian Pinkus, on her being selected as the next president of the American Israeli Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). I am confident that she will contribute greatly to AIPAC's mission ``to strengthen, protect and promote the U.S.-Israel relationship in ways that enhance the security of Israel and the United States.'' Lillian was born in upstate New York to parents who were survivors of the Holocaust. Even after being liberated from the atrocities of that time, her parents spent additional years in a deportation camp in Germany, awaiting the opportunity to emigrate to another country. As a result, Lillian grew up in a family that instilled within her a sense of appreciation for the blessings of freedom and opportunity that she and her siblings enjoy in the United States. She also developed an understanding of the immense importance of a safe and free homeland for the Jewish people. A tireless advocate for the security and strength of Israel, the U.S., and the alliance between them, Lillian has served AIPAC with years of dedication. Prior to being selected president at the most recent annual Board meeting in Israel, she was a National Board Member. She also has been honored by Israel Bonds, an organization that allows Americans to invest in building up the modern State of Israel. Lillian has now lived in Dallas with her husband, Jon, for over forty years. Together they have two married sons, Jared and his wife Samantha, and Aaron and his wife Pamela. She will become president- elect this March and take office as president during AIPAC's annual policy conference in March, 2016. I have enjoyed working with Lillian over the years on our common goal of ensuring the security of our ally, Israel; and I look forward to continuing our strong working relationship into the future. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to ask all of my distinguished colleagues to join me in congratulating and wishing well Lillian Pinkus as she begins to serve as the president of AIPAC.

Mr. MARCHANT

Mr. MARCHANT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate and honor Dr. Brian D. Smith. On November 1, 2014, Dr. Smith began serving as the eleventh president of Dallas Christian College in Farmers Branch, Texas. He will be formally inaugurated this Saturday, January 24, 2015. Dallas Christian College was founded in 1950 and maintains a mission to educate and mentor students to be ``People of Influence, Under God's Influence, for a Life of Influence.'' I have no doubt that the strong work of the College toward this end will continue to excel under Dr. Smith's new leadership. Dr. Brian D. Smith has a remarkable career in Christian higher education. He received a Bachelor's degree in Biblical Studies and Christian Ministry from Florida Christian College (FCC) in 2003. Two years later he earned his Master's from Lincoln Christian University in Contemporary Christian Theology and Philosophy. Smith received his Ph.D. in Theology from the University of Exeter in England in 2011. He has published several chapters in academic works. During his initial working years, Smith remained with FCC, which eventually merged with another school to become Johnson University Florida. He quickly advanced from serving as registrar to Associate Dean of Academics and Institutional Effectiveness, then Vice President of Academics and ultimately Assistant Provost. During his time there, Smith led the university through the process of accreditation with the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) and the Association for Biblical Higher Education. His strong and faithful professional life made him the top contender when the Board of Trustees for Dallas Christian College took up the task of searching for a replacement for their preceding president, Dusty Rubeck. The chair of the search committee, Dr. Keith Keeran, reported that the applicant pool was remarkable and seven well- qualified candidates were interviewed, but only one reached the final interview before the Board. Keeran further commented that ``the Lord's hand was on the search process from the beginning.'' Dr. Smith has always prayerfully desired to spread the Gospel and loves serving that cause through the work of Christian higher education. He and his wife, Samantha, have four children together. I welcome them to the 24th District of Texas. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to ask all of my distinguished colleagues to join me in congratulating and wishing well Dr. Brian D. Smith as he begins to serve as President of Dallas Christian College.

Mr. MARCHANT

Mr. MARCHANT. Mr. Speaker, tomorrow marks the 42-year anniversary since the Supreme Court decided Roe v. Wade. Since then, millions of innocent lives have been lost. This is also a time to renew hope, as Americans continue to advocate for the respect of all human life. Tomorrow, upwards of a quarter of a million people from across the Nation and many from my district will march from The National Mall to the Supreme Court. In Congress, we are working to help their efforts. I am cosponsoring H.R. 36, the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. This legislation would limit abortion after the age at which evidence shows an unborn child can experience pain. We must continue to stand for legislation that defends the right to life, without which all other rights are impossible.

Mr. MARCHANT

Mr. MARCHANT. Mr. Speaker, we must fight to defund and reverse the president's unilateral amnesty. Last summer, our nation experienced the consequences of the president's refusal to enforce the law. His unilateral actions enticed tens of thousands to unlawfully enter the country. According to the statistics, a vast majority of them remain in the U.S. today. The president is now going around the legislative process again to grant amnesty to millions more. He wants hard-working American taxpayers to fund this disastrous plan. My constituents will not stand for it. The president's unilateral amnesty must be completely defunded. Americans' tax dollars should be used to secure the border and keep this nation safe--not to reward those who have broken the law.

Mr. MARCHANT

Mr. MARCHANT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge passage of The Keystone XL Pipeline Act. The Keystone Pipeline represents a critical asset in our efforts to increase energy security and reduce our dependence on Mid-East oil. It would also further lower prices at the pump for American families. Most importantly, the Pipeline would create thousands of jobs in Texas and across the United States. The President has threatened to veto this legislation and ignore the will of the American people. Six years of stalling is enough. The Administration should stop standing in the way of a stronger energy future and thousands of new American jobs. Keystone must be approved immediately.

Mr. MARCHANT

Mr. MARCHANT. Mr. Speaker, on December 3, 2014, Etihad Airways become the latest new airline to start service at Dallas/Ft. Worth International Airport (DFW), which I represent in Congress. Etihad's new service now connects DFW with Abu Dhabi and the world beyond. Though Etihad is only eleven years old, it has already become a trend setter in the aviation industry for service and onboard product offerings, winning its 6th straight ``World's Leading Airline'' award at the World Travel Awards this year. Etihad and DFW based American Airlines enjoy codesharing and reciprocal frequent flier mileage agreements, making it easier for frequent fliers of both airlines to earn miles on their airline of choice and make connecting flights at DFW or Abu Dhabi. DFW is Etihad's sixth destination in the United States, further increasing ties between the United States and the United Arab Emirates. Etihad serves the DFW/ Abu Dhabi route with a Boeing 777--which will be further complemented by the airline's $40 billion order for additional Boeing aircraft in the coming years equipped with General Electric engines. I congratulate Etihad and Dallas/Ft. Worth International Airport on this latest expansion of international service which will greatly increase travel options for my constituents and promote economic growth in North Texas.